Method of and means for washing and conditioning artificial silk wound on bobbins orthe like

ABSTRACT

274,928. Brysilka, Ltd., and Schubert, F. W. March 29, 1926. Apparatus for making filaments and films.-Artificial silk wound on bobbins is washed by traversing against a countercurrent of water and acidulated water and is then conditioned in a chamber in which the temperature and humidity of the atmosphere are suitably controlled. The bobbins 1 are held upon rods 2 carried upon vertical holders 3 each of which is provided at the top with wheels 4 running on a track 5 and with a hook 6 and loop 7 for coupling the holders together. The holders are driven in turn by a ram 10 which engages pins 8 on the holders and traverses them through a framework which supports nozzle trays 13 and collecting trays 14 in such a manner that each set of bobbins goesbeneath a nozzle tray and above a collecting tray. Fresh water is fed from a tank 15 through pipes 16, 17 to the nozzle trays 13 in the forward part of the frame, the water dripping on to the bobbins and collecting in the trays 14. The lower nozzle trays are supplied by overflow pipes 18 from the nozzle trays above them, while the collecting trays 14 discharge by pipes 19 to an inclined collector 20 which discharges into a sump from which it is taken to a tank 24 and passes through a filter 26 to a pipe 27 having branches 28 which supply acidulated water to the trays in the rear of the frame to be finally collected in a collector 31 and discharged at an exit 32. The nozzle trays 13 are made with perforations 36 into which fit nozzles 34 with rubber or other resilient washers 35. The nozzles 34 carry drip rods 33 so as to produce a slow dripping effect. The circulation of the washing liquor is effected by steam ejectors, which also heat the liquor. The holders 3 carrying the bobbins pass from the washing frame into the conditioning chamber, and lugs 37 are provided on the holders 3 so that more bobbincarrying rods 2 can be attached at this stage. Details are given of the conditions for effective washing and suitable conditioning, each drip nozzle suitably delivering 4.5 c.c. of wash-liquor per minute, and the conditioning chamber being kept at 71-76‹ F. preferably at a humidity of 83 per cent which gives the best strength and elongation to the silk. The time of conditioning may he 23-35 hours.

Nov. 19, 1929. F. w. SCHUBERT 1,736,096

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR WASHING AND CONDITIONING ARTIFICIAL SILK WOUND ON BOBBINS OR THE LIKE Filed March 15, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l NOV. 19, 1929. F, SCHUBERT 1,736,096

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR WASHING AND CONDITIONING ARTIFICIAL SILK WOUND ON BOBBINS OR THE LIKE Filed March 15, 1927 2 SheetsSheet 2 Fig. 3.

LAND, ASSIGNOR T BRYSILET. ENGLAND LIBIITED, OF APPERLEY BRIDGE, NEAR FQRD,

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR WASHING AN D CONDITIONING ARTIFICIAL SILK WG UND 0N ROBBINS OR THE LIKE Application filed March 15, 1927, Serial No. 175,558, and in Great Britain March 28, 1826.

silk wound on bo bins or the like, the chief object being to efi'ect the quick washing and conditioning of the artificial silk and subject it to such treatment as will ensure of a umform product.

According to the invention, the bobbins or the like of artificial silk are traversed through and subjected to a contra-flow of water and acidulated water in such a manner that the volume of water re uired may be reduced to a minimum whilst a er passing the wet treatment, said bobbins are conducted through or into a humidifying atmosphere for conditioning and storing. For this purpose, the bob-- bins or the like of artificial silk may be placed on a conveyor or carrier having laterally extending arms or spindles to receive the bobbins. Said arms or spindles may be mounted or supported from vertical members fitted with means preferably attheir upper extremities whereby the carriers may be traversed through a frame-like structure. The traversing mechanism may be adapted to co-operate with devices on the carriers for traversing the latter, whilst appropriate engaging means or catches may be furnished for coupling or connecting the carriers together.

The said frame-like structure may have associated therewith nozzles under which the bobbins pass whilst beneath each spindle or lateral row of spindles inclined boards and trays may be provided to prevent the liquid from one row of bobbins falling on to the row immediately beneath, the liquid or liquor collected being conductedto a trough, pipe or conduit at the base of the machine or apparatus and conducted away or to any desired 7 point for re-use or otherwise.

In this connection it is preferred to utilize the clean water for treatment of the bobbins just prior to being conveyed out of the machine and collect and re-feed the liquor or acidulated Water to the bobbins entering, thus providing for the contra-flow of clean water and acidulated water. The water passing to the nozzles may be fed or induced by steam ejectors which serve to raisr the temperature of the water or liquor used in the washing process.

The nozzles or pipes throu h which the water and liquor passes will e of such a character that a slow percolation will ensue, the bobbins being stationarily mounted and the by-product gradually washed out of and down through the silk on the bobbins thereby enabling a minimum quantity or volume of water, consistent with the washing required, to be employed.

After passing through the washing stage, the carriers are traversed in a similar manner to a chamber or room wherein the temperature and humidity of the atmosphere may be suitably controlled for conditioning and storing purposes.

In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carriedinto efiect, the

same will now be more fully described with reference to and by the aid of the accompanying drawings; wherein igures 1 and 2 are respectively a side elevation and a plan view of a form of washing apparatus.

Figures -3 and 4 are respectively a transverse section and a part side elevation of the conditioning apparatus shown at Figures 1 and 2 but drawn to a much larger scale.

Figure 5 is a detail view of a preferred form of washing nozzle.

Referrin to the drawings, the bobbins 1 Wound wit artificial silk are passed onto and supported by laterally extending arms 2 which are mounted or sup orted from vertical members 3 fitted at their upper extremities with rollers 4. adapted to run on overhead.

rails 5,- each vertical member 3 with its as-- be drawn through the washing machine or a paratus by the engagement with said pins of each carrier or conveyor in turn of levers 9 carried by the ram 10 of a hydraulic or other ram cylinder 11 mounted over the rail 5. The stroke of the ram is equal to the length of one carrier or conveyor.

The washing machine or apparatus comprises a frame-like structure 12 adapted to support three sets or series of nozzle carrying trays 13 and three sets or series ofinclined drain troughs or trays 14, each set or series of ly Figures 1 and 3), while the arms 2 of each pair are set in staggered relationship (see particularly Figures 1 and 4).

In use, clean water is supplied from a tank 15 or other convenient source, by way of pipes 16 and branches 17 to the forward nozzlecarrying trays 13 of the upper set or series, and the overflow from these trays 13 passes by way of pipes 18 to the trays 13 beneath them, while the drain troughs or trays 14 below the nozzle-carrying trays 13 at the forward end of the machine are connected by pipes 19 tofan inclined conduit 20 leading into a sump 21. The spent or partly acidulated water collected inthe sump 21 is forced up by an ejector 22 and by way of a pipe 23 into an elevated vessel or tank 24, from which it is delivered by pipes 25 into filters 26.

The filtered water is now fed by way of pipes 27 and branches 28 to the rear nozzle-carrying trays 13 of the upper set or series, and the overflow from these trays 13 passes by pipes 29 to the trays 13 beneath them, while the drain troughs 14 beneath these tra s 13 are connected by pipes 30 toan incline conduit 31 leading into a drain 32 which may be connected to a recovery plant.

Thus the bobbins of artificial silk are subjected during their passage through the machine to a contra-flow of clean and acidulated water, clean water being utilized for treatment of the bobbins just prior to being conveyed out of the machine or apparatus, and the acidulated water being utilized for treatment of the bobbins entering. The water passing to the nozzles may be fed or induced by steam ejectors at appropriate points in the supply system, said steam ejectors serving also to raise the temperature of the water or liquor-used in the washing process.

The nozzles which are arranged in rows above the arms 2 comprise glass or other drip rods 33 carried by porcelain or other stoppers 34 fitted with rubber or other resilient sleeves 35 for engagement with holes 36 formed in the trays 13. Thisconstruction of drip rod nozzle only permits of slow percolation of-the water or iquor on to the stationary bobbins 1 of artificial silk below, the by-products being gradually Washed out of and down through the silk on ,said bobbins 1 with a minimum quantity or volume of water consistent with the washing, and Without damage to the silk.

After passing through the washing stage, the carriers or conveyors are traversed in a similar manner to a chamber or room wherein the temperature and humidity ofthe atmosphere may be suitably controlled for conditioning and storing purposes.

The arms 2 of the carriers or conveyors are of square section set corner-wise or on edge as shown to facilitate dripping, while the vertical members 3 of the conveyors are provided with lugs or projections 37 intermediate the distanced apart arms 2 whereby additional or auxiliary sets of arms 2 for supporting the bobbins 1 may be attached. This arrangement allows a larger number of bobbihs 1 to be stacked on one conveyor or carrier during conditioning or storing.

It has been heretofore proposed to wash artificial silk wound on bobbins by various methods such as subjecting the thread masses to streams of water, sprinkling such masses, immersingth'e wound bobbins in vats containing the washing liquid;

My. method, hereinbefore described, however, differs materially from such earlier methods, and has by practical experience been demonstrated to be superior to the practices previously followed.

An essential characteristic of the present,

method is that the washing liquid is supplied through drip nozzles whereby, as pointed out before, a slow percolation of the washin liquidis insured.' By my method, the was in liquid is slowly dropped onto the three while the bobbins are stationary, and each drop soaks slowly through the mass of threads. This insures a maximum cleaning of the thread by a minimum amount of washing liquid, so that there results a very speedy and economical washing.

Another important feature of -my im- ,1

proved method is that the several bobbins are so related that the mass of thread on any of them is never contaminated with any impuri-s force of water sprayed or discharged there-.

on under any considerable pressure, they would be seriouslyidamaged.

I claim 1'. The method of washing artificial silk threads wound on bobbins comprising supporting the Wound bobbins ina plurality of vertically spaced groups with their axes sub stantiallyhorizontal, and with the axes of the bobbins in the diiferent groups out of vertical alignment, positioning said bobbins beneath a series of drip nozzles, a plurality of such nozzles being above each bobbin, and supplying washing liquid to the nozzles, whereby the liquid will drip directly onto the thread body of each bobbin while the bobbin is stationary and slowly percolate through the wound body.

2. In an apparatus for washing artificial silk thread wound on bobbins, the combination with a plurality of vertically spaced containers for washing liquid, each provided in its bottom with means for causing the liquid to drip therefrom, means for supporting a wound bobbin beneath each said container in the paths of drippings therefrom, means beneath each bobbin support for receiving liquid percolating through the thread body on the bobbin, means for'supplying washing liquid to the upper container, and means connecting the several containers for conducting liquid from each'upper container to a lower container. 7

3. In an apparatus for washing artificial silk thread wound on bobbins, the combination with means for supporting wound bobbins in a plurality of vertically spaced groups, with the bobbin axes substantially horizontal and the axes of those in different groups out of vertical alignment, means for causing washing liquid to dri directly onto the thread bodies of all the bbins, while they are stationary, and means beneath each group of bobbins for receiving the liquid that percolates through the bodies of thread of that group, whereby the liquid applied to each thread body will be distinct from that applied to any other body.

4. In an apparatus for washing artificial silk thread wound on bobbins, the combination with a plurality of containers for washing liquid, each being constructed to cause liquid to drip therefrom, of means for supporting a .series of wound bobbins beneath each of a plurality of the containers, and means for intermittently moving the bobbins and positioning them in the paths of drippings from other containers successively,

whereby each bobbin will be repeatedl subjected, while stationary, to the perco ating action of drippings from a plurality of said containers.

5. In an apparatus for washing artificial silk thread wound on bobbins, the combination with a plurality of containers for washing liquid, each adapted to cause liquid to drip therefrom, of means for supporting a series of wound bobbins, means for moving to each bobbin bein said support to position the bobbins in the paths of drippings from said containers sucto drip therefrom and each group comprising a plurality of vertically spaced containers, :1 carrier having means for supporting a plurality of Wound bobbins in position to receive the drippings from each container in a group, means independent of the containers adapted to receive the li uid percolating through the thread bodies 0% each group of bobbins, and means for intermittingly moving the bobbin carrier to position the bobbins thereon beneath the containers ofthe several groups successively.

7 The method of washing artificial silk threads wound on bobbins comprising intermittingly-bodily moving a bobbin through a predetermined path and repeatedly applying washing liquid to the thread in the form of drops while the bobbin is stationary, during the intervals between such bodily movements.

8. The method of washing artificial silk threads wound on bobbins comprising intermittingly bodily moving a plurality of bobbins through a predetermined path, and applying washing liquid to the thread on all of the bobbins during the intervals between such bodily movements, the liquid applied independent of that percolating through t e thread on any other bobbin.

9. The method of washing artificial silk threads wound on bobb'ins comprising bodily moving a bobbin through a definite ath, applying washing liquid in the form of rops .to thread on the bobbin at one point in the anovement between said support and liquid delivery means to position a bobbin on the support in the aths of. drops from said means successively, w ereby the thread oneach bobbin will be repeatedly subjected to the action of dro s of liquid while stationary.

11. 11 an apparatus for washing artificial silk thread wound on bobbins, the combination of a plurality of containers for washing liquid adapted to discharge such liquid in the form of dr0ps,'a bobbin support, means for moving said support to position a bobbin thereon in the paths of drops from said con tainers successively, means for collecting liquid percolatin through the thread mass, means for purifying the liquid thus collected, and means for supplying the purified liquid toanother of the containers.

12. In an apparatus for washing artificial silk thread wound on bobbins, the combination of a plurality of containers for washing liquid arranged in groups each including two or more vertically spaced containers, each container being adapted to discharge liquid in the form of drops,'a travelling carrierhaving a plurality of bobbin supports respectively positioned to extend into the paths of drops from the several conveyors in each said group, means for moving the carrier to bring the bobbin supports thereon into operative relation with the groups of liquid containers successively, and means for receiving liquid percolating through the thread mass of each bobbin.

13. In an apparatus for washing artificial silk thread wound on bobbins, the combina-' tion of a plurality of containers for washing liquid arranged in groups each including two or more verticall spaced containers, each container bein adapted to discharge liquid in the form 0 drops, means for supplying to receive drops from each container, and a common discharge connected with all of said collecting means.

14. In an apparatus for washing artificial silk thread wound on bobbins, the combination of a plurality of vertically spaced drain troughs, a plurality of liquid containers arranged above each trough and each provided with means for delivering liquid in the form of dro s, a carrier ada ted to travel longitudina 1y of each trou li and provided with laterally projecting bobbin sup orts extending between each trough and t e associated containers for washing liquid, and means for moving the carrier to position the bobbins,

in the paths of drops from the several containers successively.

15. In an apparatus for washing artificial silk thread wound on bobbins, the combination of two sets of vertically spaced drain troughs, a carrier adapted to travel between said sets of troughs and provided with oppositely projecting bobbin supports that extend over said troughs, a plurality of containers for washing liquid arranged above each drain trough and adapted to discharge the washing liquid in the form of drops onto the thread supported on the carrier, and means for moving the carrier lon itudinally of the trou hs to position the obbins in the paths of drops from the several containers successively. v

16. In an apparatus for washing artificia silk thread wound on bobbins, the combination of two sets of vertically spaced drain troughs, an elevated track, a carrier suspended from said track and adapted to travel etween the sets of troughs, bobbin supports projecting from said carrier over the troughs, a plurality of containers for washing liquid arranged above each drain trough and adapted to discharge the washing liquid in the form of drops onto the thread supported on the carrier, and means for moving the carrier longitudinally of the troughs to position the bobbins in the paths of drops from the several containers successively.

F. W. SCHUBERT. 

